Hair extensions & Gluten (two separate Qs :))

[xelatropwen]

Hi everyone, TFIFriday!

Anyone have experience of hair extensions to help with thinning hair? Mine's mainly thinning from the crown however it's thin all over, so I'd like to try thickening (not necessarily lengthening) with hair extensions, has anyone had experience of this? I read in some places that extensions can pull on thin hair...

Separate thought, I don't think I'm coeliac, but I'm up for going gluten free if that helps with hypo symptoms; my question is, do you need to eat like you're coeliac/allergic e.g. checking all labels, no flour in sauces, no pizza ever ever ever etc? Or could you get away abiding by GF 95% with a very small amount of flour at restaurants etc and a cheeky monthly pizza and still feel the benefits of cutting down on gluten?

Thanks!

Alex

[Angel_of_the_North]

I think extensions may aggravate hair loss when hypo. Better to optimize ferritin and B vitamins, and get sex hormones tested to see if it is being caused by aromatization of testosterone. If you are going gluten free, it needs to be 100% at least until you find if it makes a difference. I'd go so far as to say no processed grains at all even if they are allegedly gluten-free, so no pizza, no cake, no sauce made with flour etc.

[xelatropwen in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Don't say no pizzaaaa haha OK, interesting, I'm new to this so experimenting and thinking about positive options...! Also I work in food, so food avoidance can be difficult, but not impossible.

[Mamapea1]

I really think the hair extensions would be a bad idea ~ they will only look good for a very short time, and they will completely destroy your remaining locks! They stick them on with glue and even strong healthy hair gets thinned and frazzled. I doubt the hairdresser would do it if your hair is thinning anyway.

Perhaps a hairpiece that pins in if your hair is long enough to put up? Some are v good these days. Best to test and find the cause (a long slog😴) and rectify with meds and supplements.

Strictly gluten free is worth it if you have Hashis or any AI disease, and you do get used to it. Good luck 🍀 x

[G2G2]

Agree with the others that extensions are damaging. Not worth losing even more hair.

[Petalrugbaba]

Hi. I agree with others about hair extensions , even the clip on ones pull hair. I often put my hair in a loose ponytail and use hair scrunchies to make a thicker pony 😊. Rather than wrapping the scrunchie around the pony ( as it can slip off a thin ponytail) I use a hairpin through my hairband to secure it. I also use a cover up concealer powder to hide any thinning areas. Seems to work well.

[xelatropwen in reply to Petalrugbaba]

Yes powder is great, I’ve been using Topik, great stuff

[EyeandDry]

I'm totally in support of hair extensions having had them for the past five years! I had very thin fine hair and 'holes' where hair didn't grow due to hypo and absorption issues. I got a full head of extensions and I haven't looked back! Now that I'm optimal, my hair has been able to grow back under cover, now almost its normal self (still very fine though) without the stares and funny looks from strangers! These days extensions are no longer fixed with glue, they use beads to attach to existing hair and I've never had a problem with mine, I get wefts rather than single strands. Find yourself a professional who is used to treating people with illnesses like ours (mine looks after chemo patients). I say go for it!

[xelatropwen in reply to EyeandDry]

Thank you! That’s encouraging! I know what you mean about the staring... I see people’s eyes lift to my hair when we’re speaking, it’s very demoralising!

[AnnaSo in reply to EyeandDry]

Completely agree! Also have full head of extensions and I never looked back! Would pick that any day over a mouse tail that I used to have and feel awful.

[AnnaSo]

Yes, I have been wearing extensions for over a year now and have been in further past as well. They are brilliant and gave me my confidence back after severe hair loss. Go for it and won’t regret it. The type ones are least invasive.

As per gluten you need to be 100% free I’m afraid or it won’t make a difference.

[xelatropwen in reply to AnnaSo]

Haha ok so one good news and one not so good 😊 I’m sure I can get GF pizza lol also I quite like green beans in place of pasta, so healthy!

[AnnaSo in reply to xelatropwen]

You’ll be fine gluten free ☺️ there is plenty of substitutes these days. I’ve been gluten free for 10 years and back then GF at supermarkets was literally 1 shelf, now it’s the whole aisle! 😃